Why the Outer Banks belongs on your 2021 road trip list

By Aaron Tuell on Nov. 24, 2020

Planning a trip now comes with plenty of questions: the route, the lodging, and the safest ways to experience a place once you arrive. On North Carolina’s coast, the Outer Banks offers the answers across a 100-mile stretch of open barrier islands. Here are three reasons to choose the Outer Banks for your next getaway by car.

Getting here by car is simple

Pack the vehicle, enter the route, and before long you can be on the Outer Banks. The island communities of Duck, Southern Shores and Nags Head sit less than five hours from D.C., while Hatteras is reachable by dinnertime when driving from New York City, Atlanta, Philadelphia or Cleveland. The OBX is straightforward not only to reach, but also to navigate once you’re here. Because the islands run north to south with the ocean on the east side, getting oriented is easy.

Vacation rentals make it easier to play it safe

All along the coastline, vacation rentals give visitors a way to step away while reducing contact with other people. You get private space along with the familiar comforts of home. Property management companies provide many choices, so finding a rental that fits your trip is simple.

Seaside Vacations offers everything from comfortable coastal cottages to upscale beach homes. Their rental portfolio spans the Outer Banks from north to south, and some properties include flexible booking dates that make family gatherings easier to plan.

For travelers whose dogs are part of the family, Brindley Beach Rentals offers pet-friendly waterfront homes with plenty of space and beach access right outside. Their site features specials on beautiful houses worth exploring.

Outdoor options are everywhere

A visit to 100 miles of shoreline comes with real advantages. Beaches, a national seashore, piers, gardens and national wildlife refuges are only the start of what you can experience outside. Spend your days in the fresh air discovering the natural beauty of the OBX.

During a summer visit, consider The Lost Colony in Manteo. Presented in an open-air theater, America’s longest running outdoor symphonic drama shares the story and mystery of the first English colony on Roanoke Island circa 1587. The production unfolds beneath the stars along Roanoke Sound, with updates available for the 2021 season.

Author

Aaron Tuell, Public Relations Manager at the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau